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Monday, March 29, 2010

Jelly Bean Bunny Pattern

Just in time for Easter, I bring you the first crochet pattern I have ever published for other people's personal use: the Jelly Bean Bunnies.

If you remember yesterday's post, you will remember that I mentioned it took me from Friday evening to Sunday morning to finish these little cuties. This happened because 1) I was making two of them so the creation time was doubled and 2) these are presents for my kids so I could only work on them while the kids were asleep.

One bunny should really only take about an hour to an hour and a half of continuous work.

JellyBeanBunnyPattern(Crochet)

Work in the round using an F hook unless otherwise specified.

Body:1) Chain 2.2) Single crochet (SC) 6 times into second loop from hook (or first loop in the chain depending on how you look at it).3) SC twice in each SC around the circle (=12)4) SC in each SC around the circle (12)5) SC one, then SC twice into the next SC. Repeat 6 times to complete the circle. (18)6) SC 18 for 6 rows (18)7) SC one, then decrease (DEC) one. Repeat 6 times. (12)8) Turn the body right side out.9) SC 12 (12)10) DEC around the circle (6)11) Tie off and resist the urge to stuff the body. You can, but things are a whole lot easier if you wait.

Ears (make 2):Using an E hook, work across.1) Chain 3.2) SC in second loop from hook and SC remaining loop on the chain. (2)3) SC 2 for 4 rows. (2)4) SC twice in each SC across. (4)5) SC 4 for 2 rows. (4)6) DEC across the row. (2)7) Tie off leaving a long end for tightening up the edge.8) Using a children's needle (you know, those thick light blue plastic ones that are perfect for yarn), tighten up the edge of the ears by working in the long end along the stitches on the very outside of the ear shape. Once you've sewed all the way around, pull the long end and tighten it to a nice, neat ear shape. If you don't have a long enough end to attach the ear to the head, cut yourself a short piece of yarn and tie the ear on with that.

Head:1) Chain 2.2) SC 6 into second loop from hook (or first loop in the chain depending on how you look at it).3) SC twice in each SC around the circle (=12)4) SC one, then SC twice into the next SC. Repeat 6 times to complete the circle. (18)5) SC 18 for 6 rows (18)6) SC one, SC one, SC twice into the next SC. Repeat 6 times. (24)7) SC 24 for 3 rows (24)8) SC one, SC one, DEC one. Repeat 6 times. (18)9) SC 18 (18)10) Turn the head right side out.11) Attach ears and embroider the face before completing the head.12) SC one, DEC one. Repeat 6 times. (12)13) DEC around the circle. (6)14) Tie off and stuff the head.

Arms and Legs (make 2 of each):Using an E hook, work in the round.1) Chain 2.2) SC 6 into second loop from hook (or first loop in the chain depending on how you look at it).3) SC one, then SC twice into the next SC. Repeat 6 times to complete the circle. (9)4) SC 9 for 5 rows (arms) or 6 rows (legs).5) Tie off leaving long ends for sewing the legs to the body.6) Stuff the legs if desired. I left mine unstuffed and the bunnies transition quite nicely from sitting to standing. I think that stuffing the arms and legs would make them a little harder to move around, but I could be wrong. Try it out and let me know!

Tail:Make a small pom-pom and leave long ends for tying to the body.*

*How to make a pom-pom with your finger:1) Wrap some yarn around your pinky finger close to the fingernail (for bigger pom-poms, use a bigger finger) about 10-12 times. Cut the yarn.2) Cut another piece of yarn of the same color about 8 inches long.3) Take the circle of yarn that you just wrapped off of the end of your finger.4) Wrap the short piece of yarn around the middle of the circle of yarn and tie a knot.5) Cut the loops on each side of the knot. (Do you see the pom-pom taking shape now?)6) Trim the edges of the pom-pom until it is the desired size and shape.7) Roll the pom-pom in your hands to fuzz up the ends of the yarn a little bit.

Assembly:Attach the arms, legs, and tail to the body. Then stuff the body. Last, attach the head to the top of the body.

And you're done!

I hope you get a chance to try these out. Let me know if you have any questions, concerns, comments, corrections, etc.